3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.

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Showing 1,644 studies in Brain & Nervous System

Evidence of cellular stress and caspase-3 resulting from a combined two-frequency signal in the cerebrum and cerebellum of sprague-dawley rats.

López-Furelos A et al. · 2016

Spanish researchers exposed rats to cell phone frequencies (900 MHz and 2450 MHz) for 1-2 hours and found significant cellular stress in brain tissue 24 hours later. The study measured heat shock proteins (stress markers) and caspase-3 (a protein involved in cell death) in different brain regions. Surprisingly, when rats were exposed to both frequencies together, the effects weren't simply additive, suggesting that multiple EMF signals interact with brain tissue through complex mechanisms we don't fully understand.

Effects of radiofrequency field exposure on glutamate-induced oxidative stress in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells.

Kim JY, Kim HJ, Kim N, Kwon JH, Park MJ. · 2016

Researchers exposed mouse brain cells to radiofrequency radiation while also treating them with glutamate, a brain chemical that becomes toxic in Alzheimer's disease. While RF exposure alone had minimal effects, it significantly amplified the damage when combined with glutamate, increasing cell death and harmful oxidative stress. This suggests that RF radiation may worsen brain cell vulnerability in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

The Intracranial Distribution of Gliomas in Relation to Exposure From Mobile Phones: Analyses From the INTERPHONE Study.

Grell K et al. · 2016

Researchers analyzed 792 brain tumor patients from 13 countries to see if gliomas (a type of brain cancer) occurred more often on the side of the head where people held their cell phones. They found a statistically significant pattern: brain tumors were more likely to develop on the same side of the head where patients reported using their phones most frequently. This spatial relationship held true regardless of how much time people spent on calls, suggesting that location of exposure may be more important than duration.

Neuroprotective effects of melatonin and omega-3 on hippocampal cells prenatally exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields.

Erdem Koç G et al. · 2016

Turkish researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily throughout pregnancy, then examined brain development in their male offspring. They found that prenatal radiation exposure significantly reduced the number of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus (a brain region critical for memory and learning). However, when pregnant rats received protective supplements like melatonin or omega-3 fatty acids alongside the radiation exposure, their offspring's brain development remained normal.

The effects of the duration of mobile phone use on heart rate variability parameters in healthy subjects.

Ekici B, Tanındı A, Ekici G, Diker E. · 2016

Researchers monitored the heart rhythms of 148 healthy people for 24 hours to see how mobile phone use affects heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects how well your nervous system controls your heart. They found that people who used mobile phones daily showed disrupted HRV patterns compared to non-users, with heavier users (over 60 minutes daily) showing the most significant changes. This suggests that regular mobile phone exposure may interfere with your body's automatic nervous system control over heart function.

Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation from Smartphones on Learning Ability and Hippocampal Progenitor Cell Proliferation in Mice.

Choi Y-J, Choi Y-S. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice to smartphone electromagnetic radiation for 9-11 weeks and tested their learning ability and brain cell development. While the radiation didn't affect memory or cell growth, it did activate astrocytes (brain support cells) and caused hyperactivity-like behavior that persisted weeks after exposure ended. This suggests smartphone EMF can trigger lasting changes in brain function even without obvious cognitive impairment.

Has the incidence of brain cancer risen in Australia since the introduction of mobile phones 29 years ago?

Chapman S, Azizi L, Luo Q, Sitas F. · 2016

Australian researchers analyzed 30 years of brain cancer data (1982-2012) to see if cancer rates increased after mobile phones were introduced in 1987. Despite mobile phone usage reaching 94% of the population by 2014, brain cancer rates remained stable in most age groups and were actually lower than what researchers expected if phones truly caused cancer. The only increase was in people over 70, but this trend began in 1982, before mobile phones existed.

Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats.

Çeliker M et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to 3G cell phone signals) for 30 days to study effects on hearing. While the rats' hearing tests showed no functional changes, microscopic examination revealed increased cell death and degeneration in the brain areas that process sound. This suggests that cell phone radiation may damage auditory neurons even before hearing loss becomes detectable.

Neuroprotective effects of lotus seedpod procyanidins on extremely low frequency electromagnetic field-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

Yin C, Luo X, Duan Y, Duan W, Zhang H, He Y, Sun G, Sun X. · 2016

Researchers exposed rat brain cells (hippocampal neurons) to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and found significant damage including cell death, DNA damage, and disrupted cellular function. However, when they treated the cells with natural compounds called procyanidins from lotus seeds, these protective compounds prevented most of the EMF-induced damage. The study reveals that EMF exposure can harm brain cells through oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction, but also suggests that certain natural antioxidants might offer protection.

Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Facilitate Vesicle Endocytosis by Increasing Presynaptic Calcium Channel Expression at a Central Synapse.

Sun ZC et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed brain tissue to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) for 8-10 days and found that these fields dramatically altered how nerve cells communicate. The EMF exposure increased calcium channels at nerve terminals, which enhanced the brain's ability to process and store information through improved synaptic transmission. This suggests that even low-level electromagnetic fields can fundamentally change how our nervous system functions.

Levodopa enhances immobility induced by spinal cord electromagnetic stimulation in rats.

Sales PM, de Andrade LM, Pitcher MR, Rola FH, Gondim FA. · 2016

Researchers applied electromagnetic stimulation to the spinal cord area of rats and measured how it affected their movement and behavior. They found that electromagnetic exposure reduced walking activity and increased immobility, and this effect became more pronounced when rats were pre-treated with levodopa (a Parkinson's drug). The study suggests that electromagnetic fields can influence the nervous system's control of movement through dopamine pathways in the brain.

Effects of 3 Hz and 60 Hz Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Anxiety-Like Behaviors, Memory Retention of Passive Avoidance and Electrophysiological Properties of Male Rats.

Rostami A et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed male rats to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) at 3 Hz and 60 Hz for several days and measured effects on brain activity and behavior. They found that both frequencies significantly reduced the rats' movement and decreased the firing rate of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a brain region important for arousal and attention. The study also detected widespread changes in brain proteins, suggesting that ELF-EMF exposure can alter brain function at multiple biological levels.

Abnormal feeding behaviour in spinalised rats is mediated by hypothalamus: Restorative effect of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field.

Ambalayam S, Jain S, Mathur R. · 2016

Researchers studied how spinal cord injuries affect eating behavior in rats and whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields could help. They found that spinal cord injury disrupts normal feeding patterns by affecting a brain region called the hypothalamus, but exposure to magnetic fields restored normal eating behavior and promoted nerve healing. This suggests magnetic field therapy might help address neurological complications from spinal injuries.

Pernicious effects of long-term, continuous 900-MHz electromagnetic field throughout adolescence on hippocampus morphology, biochemistry and pyramidal neuron numbers in 60-day-old Sprague Dawley male rats.

Kerimoğlu G et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed young rats to 900 MHz radiation (cell phone frequencies) daily during adolescence. Brain examination revealed significant hippocampus damage including dead neurons, fewer healthy brain cells, and oxidative stress markers. This suggests cell phone radiation during development may cause lasting memory and learning problems.

Adverse effects in lumbar spinal cord morphology and tissue biochemistry in Sprague Dawley male rats following exposure to a continuous 1-h a day 900-MHz electromagnetic field throughout adolescence.

Kerimoğlu G, Aslan A, Baş O, Çolakoğlu S, Odacı E. · 2016

Researchers exposed young rats to cell phone frequency radiation (900 MHz) for just one hour daily throughout their adolescent development and found significant damage to their spinal cords. The exposed rats showed structural abnormalities, increased cell death, and biochemical markers of oxidative stress in spinal cord tissue. This suggests that even limited daily exposure to radiofrequency radiation during critical developmental periods can harm nervous system tissue.

Long-Term Evolution Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Modulates the Resting State EEG on Alpha and Beta Bands.

Yang L, Chen Q, Lv B, Wu T · 2016

Chinese researchers exposed people to LTE (4G) cell phone radiation at levels equivalent to maximum phone emissions and measured their brain activity using EEG. The radiation reduced brain wave power and disrupted communication between brain hemispheres in the alpha and beta frequency bands, which are associated with relaxed awareness and focused attention. These changes occurred in the frontal and temporal brain regions that handle executive function and memory processing.

Exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field radiation, ringtone and vibration affects anxiety-like behaviour and oxidative stress biomarkers in albino wistar rats

Shehu A, Mohammed A, Magaji RA, Muhammad MS · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to mobile phone radiation for 4 weeks using different phone modes (silent, vibration, ringtone, or both) and measured anxiety-like behavior and cellular damage markers. All exposed groups showed increased anxiety compared to controls, and rats exposed to ringtone modes also showed decreased antioxidant enzyme activity. This suggests that mobile phone radiation may affect both brain function and cellular health, even from relatively short daily exposures.

Maternal exposure to a continuous 900-MHz electromagnetic field provokes neuronal loss and pathological changes in cerebellum of 32-day-old female rat offspring.

Odacı E et al. · 2016

Pregnant rats exposed to cell phone-frequency radiation (900-MHz) for one hour daily produced offspring with significantly fewer brain cells in the cerebellum, the region controlling movement and coordination. The brain damage persisted into young adulthood, suggesting prenatal EMF exposure may harm developing brains.

Effects of Long Term Exposure of 900-1800 MHz Radiation Emitted from 2G Mobile Phone on Mice Hippocampus- A Histomorphometric Study.

Mugunthan N et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice to radiation from 2G mobile phones (900-1800 MHz) for 48 minutes daily over 1-6 months and examined brain tissue under microscopes. They found significant damage to the hippocampus, the brain region crucial for memory and learning, including reduced numbers of neurons and smaller cell nuclei. This suggests that prolonged mobile phone radiation exposure may harm brain cells in ways that could affect cognitive function.

Effects of radiofrequency field exposure on glutamate-induced oxidative stress in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells

Kim JY, Kim HJ, Kim N, Kwon JH, Park MJ · 2016

Scientists exposed mouse brain cells to radiofrequency radiation and glutamate, a brain chemical that becomes toxic during diseases like Alzheimer's. RF exposure alone caused minimal harm, but when combined with glutamate, it dramatically increased cell death, suggesting RF radiation may worsen brain damage in diseased conditions.

Morphological and antioxidant impairments in the spinal cord of male offspring rats following exposure to a continuous 900 MHz electromagnetic field during early and mid-adolescence

İkinci A et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed young male rats to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields (similar to cell phone radiation) for one hour daily during adolescence and examined their spinal cords. They found significant damage including deterioration of the protective myelin sheaths around nerve fibers, tissue atrophy, and increased oxidative stress markers. This suggests that RF radiation exposure during critical developmental periods may harm the nervous system's structure and function.

Effects of exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats

Çeliker M et al. · 2016

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at 2100 MHz for 30 days to study effects on hearing. While the rats' hearing tests showed no changes, microscopic examination revealed significant damage to brain cells in the auditory system, including increased cell death and degeneration. This suggests that cell phone radiation may harm the hearing system in ways that don't show up immediately in standard hearing tests.

Inhibition of STAT3- and MAPK-dependent PGE2 synthesis ameliorates phagocytosis of fibrillar β-amyloid peptide (1-42) via EP2 receptor in EMF-stimulated N9 microglial cells.

He GL et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed brain immune cells called microglia to electromagnetic fields and found that EMF exposure significantly impaired the cells' ability to clear harmful amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. The EMF exposure triggered inflammatory pathways that reduced the cells' cleaning function by 30-40%. This suggests EMF exposure could potentially accelerate brain aging by preventing normal cellular housekeeping.

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